A multi-year journey ended on Friday, April 5, with healthcare teams at the Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) receiving international praise.
The PRH and Penticton Health Centre were awarded the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI), a rare designation that recognizes 91裸聊视频渢he high standard of care91裸聊视频� provided to babies and new parents.
With Penticton in the fold, just 29 facilities in Canada have been on the receiving end of the award.
91裸聊视频淭his isn91裸聊视频檛 easy to do and that91裸聊视频檚 why it91裸聊视频檚 not a common designation in Canada,91裸聊视频� said Dr. Neil Crofts, chief of staff at PRH.
91裸聊视频淧enticton should be very proud that we have this designation.91裸聊视频�
Rob Finch, executive director at Perinatal of BC, said the designation represents an 91裸聊视频渆pic milestone.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭his work is so critically important, it91裸聊视频檚 life-changing91裸聊视频� Finch added, while praising the work of local healthcare teams91裸聊视频� staff and volunteers.
91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a level of commitment in Penticton that91裸聊视频檚 so far ahead of everyone else91裸聊视频91裸聊视频檒l say that with confidence.91裸聊视频�
The BFI is a World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations program 91裸聊视频渢hat guides optimal care and best breastfeeding and chestfeeding practices,91裸聊视频� according to Interior Health.
Its goal is to create an environment where families receive the best care and information to give their children a healthy future, they added.
In 2019, Penticton91裸聊视频檚 hospital was one of 26 facilities in Canada chosen to participate in a national BFI quality improvement project.
More than four years later 91裸聊视频� and after fulfilling the requirements of WHO and the United Nations International Children91裸聊视频檚 Emergency Fund 91裸聊视频� Penticton is officially a BFI-designated community.
91裸聊视频淭he goal of the BFI is to make breastfeeding and chestfeeding easier for families by helping them get off to the best start possible, and supporting them for as long as they need,91裸聊视频� said Meggie Ross, Penticton91裸聊视频檚 BFI lead.
The designation was recognized with a ceremony on Friday afternoon, April 5, in front of around 50 people at the PRH91裸聊视频檚 main entrance.
Staff, volunteers and local patients of the BFL initiative were among those in attendance.
91裸聊视频淭his is an incredible milestone and one we should celebrate very proud for the families that we serve,91裸聊视频� said Lea Geiger, a provincial clinical coordinator at Perinatal Services BC.
